JP2002157172A - Measurement information broker - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in grasping the operating conditions of a network and computers and the conditions of their loads wherein an I/F(interface) for a measuring function (measuring equipment) on a variety of resources, has various specifications, such as SNMP, CIM, and ARM, and therefore a program matching each I/F specification needs to the generated to allow a management application access to the measuring function. SOLUTION: A special device (measurement information broker) is used for collecting/providing measurement information. The measurement information broker has the function of converting a request for measurement based on a unified I/F specification into requests based on various I/F specifications, the function of issuing an order for measurement to the measuring function (equipment), the function of collecting measurements, and the function of outputting (delivery) the measurements. By using the measurement information broker, a management application can obtain various measurements simply by having one I/F mounted thereto.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a computer system, particularly in a distributed computing environment where a plurality of computers are connected and used by a network.
It relates to the collection of information on the operation and performance of various resources existing on the network / system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In order to operate and maintain a computer system, it is necessary to monitor operations of element functions constituting the system. By constantly monitoring whether the system is operating normally or whether it is overloaded, it is possible to early detect system abnormalities and predict performance and capacity required in the future.

[0003] Central functions for realizing the monitoring function are an information collecting function and a measuring function. After obtaining the operation status check result and load measurement result of the monitoring target, the normal / abnormal judgment is made, and if an abnormality or a sign leading to the abnormality is found, necessary measures are taken.

The means for collecting information from the constituent devices in the network / system may be provided by each device itself, or may be a device or tool dedicated to measurement. However, access means for those information collecting functions is not uniform and differs depending on the type of device.

For example, in the case of network equipment, IETF (Intern) is used as a standard protocol for network management.
et Engineering Task Force)
There is P (Simple Network Management Protocol)
DMT as an interface for computer management
There is WBEM (Web-based Enterprise Management) defined by F (Desktop Management Task Force).

[0006] Further, the same type of equipment is not limited to one access means. For example, a network device often has access means unique to a network device vendor in addition to the above-described SNMP. In general, the latter can extract more advanced functions.

The software also has a monitoring function / information collection function dedicated to the software. For example, operation related to application software running on a computer
For performance monitoring, ARM (Application Respond) is a standard specification formulated by The Open Group.
There is an interface called se Management).

[0008]

As described in the prior art, there are many types of access means for an information collection function relating to the operation and performance of an element function in a computer system. Conventionally, in order to access these information collection functions, the side using the information collection function (management application side) needs to prepare logic corresponding to individual access means, and the application development burden and implementation in the system The burden on was heavy.

An object of the present invention is to reduce these burdens.

The present invention relates to a measurement process and an information collection process for realizing various monitoring functions. In the text, the term "measurement" is used below, which means the collection of information necessary for various types of monitoring and management.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention conceals an I / F unique to a measurement function by using a measurement information broker which substitutes information collection processing for the measurement function. I do.

The components of the measurement information broker have the following components, and provide a single access point for an application (management application) requiring measurement information.

(1) Measurement request receiving function A function for receiving a request for measurement information issued from an application.

(2) Measurement means selection function A function of selecting an access means to the measurement function according to the contents of the request.

(3) Measurement instruction function A function of issuing a measurement instruction to the measurement function by an access method corresponding to the measurement function.

(4) Measurement result collection function A function of collecting measurement results from the measurement function.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 1. Overall System Configuration As shown in FIG. 1, the components of the overall system of the present invention are a measurement operation unit 12, a measurement information broker 110, a measurement function 131, a measurement target 132, and an output destination 14.
Are tied together.

In FIG. 1, each component is a network 22.
Although it is depicted as being on another device 210 separated by a dashed line, a plurality of components may be mounted on the same device 210. For example, the measurement operation unit 12 and the measurement information broker 110 may be mounted on the same device 210. Further, the measurement target 132 does not necessarily need to be connected to the network 22 and may be in a state where measurement can be performed by the measurement function 131.

1.1 Outline of Functions of Each Unit The measurement operation unit 12 has a function of issuing an instruction regarding various operations of the measurement information broker 110 to the measurement information broker 110. The measurement operation unit 12 is a terminal (console) that can access the functions of the measurement information broker management unit 117.
And applications (local / remote applications).

The measurement information broker 110 is a subject of the present invention, and has a function of transmitting a measurement instruction to the measurement unit 131 and a measurement result to the output destination 14 based on an instruction from the measurement operation unit 12. Details of the measurement information broker 110 will be described in “2. Details of measurement information broker”.

The measurement function 131 has a function of measuring the measurement target 132 based on an instruction from the measurement information broker 110 and transferring the measurement result to the measurement information broker 110. Measurement function 131
It does not need to have a measurement function itself, and may be a relay function to another measurement function.

The measurement target 132 is a measurement target, and the measurement unit 1
Measured by 31. The measurement target 132 may be firmware or software that runs on a device other than hardware devices such as a network, a router device, and a computer device.

The output destination 14 is an output destination of the measurement result. In addition to storage means such as a file system and a database, an AP (for example, a resident program) using measurement results may be used.

The measurement operation unit 12 and the measurement information broker 11
It is not necessary to divide the machine into the 0, the measurement unit 131, the measurement target 132, and the output destination 14, and a plurality of functions may coexist on the same machine.

1.2 Hardware Configuration The device 210 on which each component in FIG. 1 is mounted is realized by a CPU 211, a memory 212, a keyboard 213, a display 214, a hard disk drive 215, a network 222, etc., as shown in FIG. I do. Note that not all of these hardware components are necessary, and may be omitted as necessary. For example, if a device 210 does not require a human interface, the keyboard 213 and display 214 can be omitted.

1.3 Outline of Measurement Information Broker The measurement information broker 110, which is the subject of the present invention, will be described below.

(1) Configuration of Measurement Information Broker FIG. 3 shows the relationship between components of the measurement information broker 110 and others.

The measurement information broker 110 includes a measurement task registration unit 111, a measurement unit selection unit 112, a measurement instruction unit 113, a measurement result collection unit 114, a measurement result output destination selection unit 115, a measurement result output unit 116, and a measurement information broker management. It comprises a part 117.

(2) Processing Procedure of Measurement Information Broker A procedure for performing measurement and collecting and outputting the measurement result according to the flow of FIG. 4 will be described.

When a measurement instruction is issued from the measurement operation unit 12 to the measurement information broker management unit 117 (4101 in FIG. 4), it is transmitted to the measurement task registration unit 111. Then, the measurement means selection unit 112 selects which measurement function is to be used for measurement based on the contents of the measurement instruction (4102 in FIG. 4), and uses the measurement instruction unit 113 corresponding to the measurement function 131 to perform the measurement function. 131
Is given a measurement instruction (4103 in FIG. 4). The measurement function 131 measures the measurement target 132 based on the measurement instruction received from the measurement instruction unit 113, and a measurement result collection unit 114 corresponding to the measurement function 131.
Return the measurement result to Upon receiving the measurement result (4104 in FIG. 4), the measurement result collection unit 114 converts the measurement result into a standard format of the result used in the measurement information broker 110 (4 in FIG. 4).
105). Then, the measurement result output selection unit 115 selects the output destination of the measurement result (4106 in FIG. 5). The selection of the output destination is performed based on a measurement instruction issued from the measurement operation unit 12 to the measurement information broker management unit 117. Using the measurement result output unit 116, the measurement result output destination 1
The measurement result is output to 4 (FIG. 4106).

2. Details of Measurement Information Broker The details will be described below for each component described in section 1.3 (1).

2.1 Measurement Task Registration Unit In order to cope with situations such as when measurement takes time and when there are a plurality of measurement operation units 12, a plurality of measurement processes can be executed simultaneously in this embodiment. As shown in the flow of FIG. 4, in the present invention, a measurement instruction, a collection of measurement results,
A series of measurement procedures including the output of the measurement result are executed, and this measurement procedure will be referred to as a measurement task.

(1) Measurement task definition information As indicated by reference numeral 4101 in the flow of FIG. 4, information necessary for execution of a measurement task is received from the measurement operation unit 12 at the time of execution of measurement processing. Definition information 310
Call. As shown in FIG. 5, the contents of the measurement task definition information 310 may be composed of three items: a measurement content 3110, a measurement result collection method 3120, and a measurement result output method 3130.

The measurement content 3110 includes a measurement target 3111 and a measurement item 3112, and is referred to when selecting a measurement function and executing measurement required in steps 4102 and 4103 in the flow of FIG.

The measurement result collection method 3120 is for realizing not only one measurement but also a periodic measurement, and includes a measurement time 3121, a start date and time 3122, an end date and time 3123, and a measurement cycle 3124.
including. The measurement time 3121 is a flag indicating whether the measurement is performed only once or periodically repeated. If the measurement is repeated periodically, when does the measurement start (start date and time 3122) or when does it end (end date and time)
3123), what cycle to repeat the measurement (measurement cycle
3123). Even when measurement is performed only once, the start date and time 3122 may be specified so that measurement can be performed only once at the specified date and time.

The measurement result output method 3130 corresponds to the flow shown in FIG.
The measurement result output method 3130, which is referred to in the processing of 4106 and 4107, includes the number of output destinations 3131 and the number of output destinations 31320 specified by the output destination number 3131. The output destination 31320 further includes an output destination type 31321, an output destination ID 31322, and an output item.
31323 and an encoding system 31324. These details are described in sections 2.5 and 2.6.

(2) Measurement task pool In order to execute a plurality of measurement tasks at the same time, it is necessary to hold information on all measurement tasks being executed. The holding means of the measurement task is called a task pool 320. As shown in FIG. 6, the data structure of the task pool 320 may be a form in which task information 3210 is listed. The contents of the task information 3210 are the task ID 3211 and the task request source.
3212, measurement task definition information 310, task progress 321
30, including the time stamp 32140.

The task ID 3211 is an identifier for uniquely identifying a plurality of measurement tasks, and a value that does not overlap with an existing measurement task may be set when the measurement task is registered.

The task request source 3212 is information indicating the registrant of the measurement task, and when outputting the measurement result to the registrant of the measurement task, measures where to return to the plurality of measurement operation units 12. Used by the result output unit 116 to know.

The measurement task definition information 310 is definition information relating to the measurement task specified by the measurement operation unit 12 described above.

The task progress status 32130 indicates how far the processing of the measurement task has progressed, and includes a task end flag 32131, a measurement progress 32132, and an output progress 32133.
including. These pieces of information are used to check the progress of the measurement task.

The time stamp 32140 is for recording the date and time relating to the processing of the measurement task, and includes a task creation date and time 32141 and a measurement date and time 32142. These pieces of information are used to know the measurement task and the freshness of the measurement result.

2.2 Measurement Means Selection Unit The measurement contents 3110 included in the measurement task definition information 310 are designed to specify the measurement contents by the measurement target 3111 and the measurement item 3112, and the type of the measurement function 131 is included therein. Is not specified. This is to make the specification of the measurement easier by making the user of the measurement information broker unaware (abstracting) of the details of the measurement function.

However, when actually performing the measurement, it is necessary to determine which measurement function 131 is to be used. Therefore, it is necessary to derive the type of the measurement function from the specified content of the measurement content 3110. Information for performing the conversion is the measurement function correspondence table 330.

(1) Data Structure of Measurement Function Correspondence Table 330 The measurement function correspondence table 330 has correspondence information 3310 as shown in FIG.
In the form of a row. Furthermore, the corresponding information 3310 is the measurement content 311
0, measuring machine ID 3311, measuring method ID 3312, measuring item ID 3
Consists of 313.

The measurement contents 3110 are the same as those included in the measurement task definition information 310. Measuring machine ID 3311 is the content of measurement
An alias for a machine having a measurement function corresponding to 3110, for example, an IP address. The measurement method ID 3312 is an identification name related to the type of the measurement method.
/ RMON "and" CIM / WMI ". Measurement item ID 3313
Is an identification name of the measurement content, for example, an SNMP object name or a CIM instance name.

By defining the measurement function correspondence table 330 in the measurement information broker 110 in advance, the measurement contents 3110
It is possible to select an appropriate measurement method and measurement function 131 according to the content of the operation.

(2) Example of Measurement Function Correspondence Table 330 FIG. 8 shows an example of the measurement function correspondence table 330. The meaning of the first line of data is as follows, and the other lines perform the same interpretation. "Se
To measure the “free space of C drive” of “rver_1”,
"Server_1" for "CIM / WMI" measurement method "Win3
2_LogicalDisk.DeviceID = FreeS of the instance of “C:”
See pace attribute.

As described above, by performing the conversion using the measurement function correspondence table 330, the measurement content 310 can be specified in an expression that does not depend on the type of the measuring device 131.

Note that the measuring device ID 3312, the measuring method ID 3312, and the measuring item ID 3313 may be directly specified in the measuring task definition information 310 without using the measuring function correspondence table 330. In such a case, the trouble of registering the measurement items in the measurement function correspondence table 330 can be omitted. (However, when registering the measurement task, it is necessary to input information at a level close to the implementation, and the registration task of the measurement task becomes complicated. Become).

(3) Specifying a Plurality It is basically to process one measurement content with one measurement task. However, if similar measurements are repeated, the number of measurement tasks increases, so the overhead required for processing the measurement tasks is a concern. Become. Therefore, a plurality of measurement targets and measurement items may be processed by one measurement task at a time.

For example, by specifying the measurement target 3111, the same measurement content is executed for the plurality of targets by writing the plurality of targets together, and a plurality of measurement results or a total value or an average value of the measured values may be returned. Can be In addition, instead of writing a plurality of objects together, it is conceivable to use a metacharacter such as an asterisk or a question mark. For example,
When only the asterisk is selected, an application in which measurement is performed on all devices in the network capable of measuring the specified measurement item 3112 is considered.

It is also conceivable to perform a plurality of measurements by writing a plurality of measurement items in the measurement item 3112.

It should be noted that when the number of measurement objects and measurement items is plural, the number of measurement results may be plural. In this case, a plurality of measurement results are returned as they are, or an average value or a total value is returned. (In the case of numerical data).

2.3 Measurement Instruction Unit The measurement instruction unit 113 has a function of instructing the measurement function 131 to perform measurement in accordance with the measurement method and measurement function selected by the measurement unit selection unit 112. Specifically, the measuring means selecting unit 11
The measuring method ID311
Using the means of 312, measurement is instructed using the measurement item ID as a measurement parameter. For example, when processing the information in the first line of FIG. 8, "CIM / WMI"
"Win32_Logi" using the interface (API) of
Issue a query for the instance of calDeviceID = ”C:” ”(and return“ Free ”
Space attribute is the measurement result).

When mounting the measurement instruction unit 113, the measurement instruction unit 113 may be prepared according to the type of measurement method to be used. For example, CIM measurement instruction unit, ping
Into dedicated modules such as a measurement instruction unit for SNMP and a measurement instruction unit for SNMP. Also, by unifying the interface between the measurement unit selection unit 112 and the measurement instruction unit 113, the measurement instruction unit 113
And the addition / deletion of the measurement instruction unit 113 is facilitated (see section 2.7 (3)).

(1) Function of custom program Measurement instructing section 113 (measurement method I in measurement function correspondence table 330)
The measurement method specified in D3312) is not limited to a method that bridges to the measurement unit 131 (hereinafter, a bridge type).
It may be a custom program that performs a plurality of measurement processes and performs analysis in order to obtain more advanced measurement results.

For example, information obtained by SNMP and CI
When it is necessary to comprehensively analyze the information obtained in M, a process of individually defining and executing the measurement tasks from the measurement operation unit 12 and analyzing the obtained results is required. When the number of measurement items is small, it is conceivable to define and execute measurement tasks individually. However, when the number of measurement items is large, the overhead required to execute the measurement task (communication traffic between the measurement operation unit 12 and the measurement information broker 110, measurement Measurement task processing on the information broker 110,
Overhead such as communication traffic between the measurement information broker 110 and the output destination 14 increases.

Therefore, a kind of macro function is provided by a custom program, a plurality of measurement processes are executed by executing one measurement task, and the measurement results are analyzed. Outputting to 14 reduces overhead when issuing many measurement tasks.

The custom program is a normal measurement instruction unit
113 functions (measurement unit 131 compatible with SNMP, CIM, etc.)
It can be defined in the measurement function correspondence table 330 so that it can be called from the measurement task in the same manner as in the measurement instruction function of the type that bridges to the network (SNMP or C with the measurement method ID 3312).
IM and custom program types).

It should be noted that other customization programs such as the bridge type measurement instruction unit 113 and other (or the same) custom program may be called in the custom program.

2.4 Measurement Result Collection Unit The function of the measurement result collection unit 114 is to collect measurement results and to format the measurement results.

(1) Collection of Measurement Results In FIG. 3, the measurement instruction unit 113 and the measurement result collection unit 114 are separately described, but in practice, the measurement instruction and the collection of the measurement results are often integrated. For example, SNMP, CIM, p
In the execution of ing or the like, a return value when a measurement instruction (inquiry issuance) is performed is a measurement result. However, it is conceivable that the measurement instruction and the result collection are performed asynchronously, for example, because measurement takes time, and in this case, the measurement instruction unit 113 and the measurement result collection unit 114 are separate processes.

Normally, the measurement result collection unit 114 is
Similarly to the above, it is prepared according to the type of measurement method (for SNMP, for CIM, for ping, etc.).

(2) Shaping of Measurement Result It is preferable that the information (measurement result) sent from the measurement function 131 is not directly used as the measurement result of the measurement information broker, but the information sent from the measurement function 131 is processed. Processing information includes deleting extra data, adding supplementary information, and unifying the format of measurement results.

(2) -1 Deletion of Extra Data If the measurement result sent from the measurement function 131 includes extra data, it must be removed. For example, pi to measure network response time
Even if ng is executed, the execution result of ping includes p
It also includes the address and description of the ing destination,
These have nothing to do with the purpose of the measurement.

(2) -2 Addition of supplementary information: A time stamp at the time of measurement may be added to the measured information. This makes it easier to identify the freshness of the measurement result.

(2) -3 Unification of Measurement Result Format: The information format of the result sent from the measurement function 131 differs depending on the type of the measurement function 131. For example, SNMP and CIM are different, and ping is similar. Therefore, when the format of the information passed from the measurement result collection unit 114 to the measurement result output unit 116 differs for each type of measurement method, it is necessary to prepare a measurement result output unit for each type of measurement method. In order to avoid this, it is better to unify information passed from the measurement result collection unit 114 to the measurement result output unit 116. This also eliminates the need to change the measurement result output unit 116 when adding the measurement result collection unit 114 corresponding to the new measurement function 131 later (see section 2.7 (3)).

2.5 Measurement Result Output Destination Selection Unit The measurement result output destination selection unit 115 performs the measurement collected by the measurement result collection unit 114 based on the contents of the measurement result output method 3130 included in the measurement task definition information 310. This is for selecting the output destination of the result. For example, the following can be considered as the output destination of the measurement result.

(1) Registrant of measurement task The measurement result is returned to the registrant of the measurement task. For example, when a measurement task is registered from a console of a certain measurement operation unit 12, the measurement task is returned to the console (displayed on a screen).
If the registrant of the measurement task is an application, return it to that application in the same way.

(2) File / Database The measurement result is output to a shared directory in the measurement information broker or on another machine. When the measurement is performed periodically, a log file is formed by recording by appending to one file. The database is the same as the file.

(3) Output to Application and Communication Port An application (CORB) existing on the machine on which the measurement information broker is running or on another machine
A measurement result is output to a distributed object such as A or DCOM or a communication port (serial port output, event transmission such as SNMP trap, etc.).

A supplementary description of the proper use of these three methods will be given. (1) is a standard usage and is suitable for a case where the user wants to check the measurement result on the console screen. (2) is a so-called push-type transmission in which information is transmitted to a recipient of information under the initiative of an information provider, and therefore may be used when immediate transmission of a measurement result is required. In addition, (3) is the so-called Pu, in which the recipient of the information takes the initiative to retrieve the information.
Since it is an ll-type information transfer, it may be used when a large number of information users share the same measurement result.

As a matter of course, there is no problem even if a plurality of measurement result output methods are used in combination for one or a plurality of measurement tasks.

2.6 Measurement Result Output Unit The measurement result output unit 116 has a function of outputting the measurement result processed by the measurement result collection unit 114 to the measurement result output destination 14. 2.
What is necessary is just to prepare a processing function corresponding to the output destination type (file, database, application, communication port, etc.) of the measurement result described in section 5.

A dedicated storage area for measurement results is secured in the measurement information broker, and the database can be accessed from another machine so that the measurement results can be shared by a plurality of machines (information users). Is also good. FIG. 9 shows an example of the storage area (measurement result storage).

(1) Measurement Result Storage The measurement result storage 30 is a list of measurement results 3410, and the measurement results 3410 further include a task ID 3211, an interval measurement branch number 3411, measurement task definition information 310, a time stamp 32140, and a measurement result. It consists of 3412.

The measurement result ID 3411 and the measurement result branch number 3412 are
This is for uniquely identifying the measurement result, and when registering the measurement result, a name (or number or the like) that does not overlap with the content designated by another measurement result 3410 may be given.
The reason for preparing two types of measurement result IDs is that the former is assigned to a measurement task ID 3211 and the latter is assigned to a sequence number when a plurality of measurements are performed by one measurement task (generated by periodic measurement or the like). It is because that was assumed. By doing so, the correspondence between the measurement task and the measurement result can be expressed. Of course, there is no problem if the measurement result branch number 3412 is omitted and the measurement result is identified only by the measurement result ID 3411.

The measurement task definition information 310 is the measurement condition used to obtain the measurement result. This item may be omitted if not particularly necessary.

The measurement date and time 32142 stores the date and time when the measurement was performed as information for knowing the freshness of the measurement result.

The measurement result 3413 is a storage area for the measurement result.

The measurement result storage 340 may be mounted on a file system or a database.

2.7 Measurement Information Broker Management Unit The measurement information broker management unit 117 has a function of performing various managements in the measurement information broker 110.

The entire management of the measurement information broker system including the execution of the measurement task is performed. There are four management items: management of a measurement task, management of a measurement function correspondence table, management of various modules, and management of a measurement result storage.

For management work requiring manual management, a console may be provided in the measurement operation unit 12 so that various management contents can be instructed on the console screen. FIG. 10 shows a management menu screen 501 of the measurement information broker management unit 117 displayed on the console of the measurement operation unit 12.
This indicates 0, and includes buttons (5011 to 5014) and an end button 5015 corresponding to the management items of the measurement information broker management unit 117 described above. By pressing (selecting) each button, the screen shifts to each management item (screen).

Hereinafter, four management items (described above) processed by the measurement information broker management unit 117 will be described.

(1) Management of Measurement Task Since the measurement task is registered and executed in the task pool 320, the management of the measurement task can be paraphrased as the management of the task pool 320. As management items of the task pool 320, new registration of a measurement task, deletion of a measurement task (task information 3210) registered in the task pool 320,
There are content changes.

As described in section 2.1, new registration of a measurement task is realized by additionally registering task information in the task pool 320. Deletion of a measurement task in the task pool 320 is realized by deleting specific task information registered in the task pool 320. Similarly, the content of the measurement task is changed by changing the task information in the task pool 320.

(1) -1 Measurement Task Management Screen FIG. 11 shows a measurement task management screen 5020. The measurement task list 5021 displays a list of task information existing in the task pool, and the highlighted line indicates that the task information is currently selected.

A new button 5022 is a button to be pressed when newly registering a measurement task. When this button is pressed, the screen shifts to a measurement task setting screen A 5030 to display measurement task definition information.
After inputting information equivalent to 310, the input content is registered in the task pool.

When the detail button 5023 is pressed, the detailed information of the selected task information is displayed, and when the delete button 5024 is pressed, the selected task information is deleted. Close button 50
Pressing 25 terminates the measurement task management screen and returns to the management menu screen 5010.

(1) -2 Measurement Task Setting Screen A FIG. 12 shows a measurement task setting screen A5030, which is used to input setting items relating to a measurement method of a measurement task.

The content set in the measurement function setting column 5032 corresponds to the measurement content 3110 in the measurement task definition information 310. Similarly, the contents set in the measurement method setting column 5033 are the measurement result collection method 3120 in the measurement task definition information 310.
Is equivalent to In addition, by pressing (selecting) the output method tab 5041, the screen shifts to the measurement task setting screen B. By pressing the OK button 5034, the settings are saved (registered in the task pool), and the screen shifts to the measurement task management screen (main) 5020. By pressing the cancel button 5035, the measurement task is not saved without saving the settings. Moves to the management screen (main) 5020.

(1) -3 Measurement Task Setting Screen B FIG. 13 shows a measurement task setting screen B5040, which is used to input setting items relating to a method of outputting a measurement result.

The output destination list 5042 is a list of output destinations set for the measurement task. In this embodiment, there can be a plurality of output destinations 31320 of the measurement task definition information (see FIG. 5).
Therefore, the setting screen can also support a plurality of output destination designations. One line of the output destination list 5042 corresponds to one output destination 31320 of the measurement task definition information 310.

By pressing an add button 5043, the screen shifts to a measurement task setting screen C5050, where an output destination is added. By pressing the details button 5044, the measurement task setting screen C5050 is displayed.
Then, the setting contents of the output destination selected in the output destination list 5042 are changed. Then, by pressing the delete button 5045, the output destination selected in the output destination list 5042 is deleted.

In addition, when the measurement method tab 5031 is pressed (selected), the screen shifts to the measurement task setting screen B. Also, O
Press the K button 5045 to save the settings (register in the task pool) and manage the measurement task management screen (main) 5020
Then, by pressing the cancel button 5046, the screen shifts to the measurement task management screen (main) 5020 without saving the contents.

(1) -4 Measurement Task Setting Screen C FIG. 14 shows a measurement task setting screen C5050, which is used to input setting items relating to a method of outputting a measurement result of a measurement task.

The contents set in the output destination setting column 5051 correspond to the output destination type 31321 and the output destination ID 31322 included in the measurement task definition information 310. The content set in the output content setting column 5052 is based on the measurement task definition information 31.
This corresponds to the output item 31323 included in 0. Similarly, the contents set in the encoding setting column 5053 are the measurement task definition information 31
This corresponds to the encoding method 31324 included in 0.

In addition, pressing the OK button 5054 saves the setting contents (registered in the task pool), shifts to the measurement task setting screen B5040, and presses the cancel button 5055 to save the setting contents without saving the setting contents. Screen B5040
Move to

(2) Management of Measurement Function Correspondence Table The management items of the measurement function correspondence table 330 are addition, change, and deletion of the correspondence information 3310 included in the measurement function correspondence table 330.

FIG. 15 shows a measurement function correspondence table management screen 5060. In the correspondence information list 5051, a list of correspondence information is displayed, and one line corresponds to one correspondence information 3310.

By pressing the add button 5052, the correspondence information 3310
Add. By pressing the change button 5053, the setting of the corresponding information 3310 selected in the corresponding information list 5051 is changed. Then, by pressing the delete button 5054, the correspondence information 3310 selected in the correspondence information list 50501 is deleted. By pressing the close button 5055, the management screen (main) 5060 of the measurement function correspondence table ends, and the screen returns to the management menu screen 5010.

(3) Management of Various Modules In order to support various measurement methods and output formats, the measurement instruction unit 113, the measurement result collection unit 114, and the measurement result output unit 116
Should be modularized.

FIG. 16 is a module definition table 350 for recording information on modules that can be used by the measurement information broker 110, and is a list of module definitions 3510. The module definition 3510 further includes an identification name 3511, a function type 3512, and a module entity 3513.

The identifier 3511 has a correspondence with the measurement method ID 3312 in the measurement function correspondence table 330 or the output destination type 31321 in the measurement task definition information 310.
This is for linking the contents specified by D3312 or the output destination type 31321 with (the entity of) the module. The function type 3512 is information indicating the type of function of the module (measurement, collection, output). The entity 3513 of the module is
This is information indicating the entity of the module (the storage location of the program code, the object name, etc.).

FIG. 17 shows a module management screen. The module list 5071 shows a list of modules registered on the measurement information broker 110, and one line defines one module.

By pressing an add button 5072, a module is added. Further, by pressing a change button 5073, the setting of the module selected in the module list 50710 is changed. Then, by pressing a delete button 5074, the module selected in the module list 50710 is deleted. By pressing the close button 5075, the management screen (main) 5070 of the measurement function correspondence table ends, and the screen returns to the management menu screen 5010.

(4) Management of Measurement Result Storage The management items of the measurement result storage 340 are display and deletion of the contents of the measurement result 3410 registered in the storage.

FIG. 18 shows a measurement result storage management screen 5080. The measurement result list 5081 displays a list of measurement results registered in the measurement result storage 340, and one line corresponds to one measurement.

By pressing the detail button 5082, the contents of the measurement result 3410 selected in the measurement result list 5081 are displayed. By pressing a delete button 5083, the measurement result 3410 selected in the measurement result list 5081 is deleted. Then, by pressing the close button 5084, the management screen (main) 5080 of the measurement result storage is terminated, and the screen returns to the management menu screen 5010.

[0112]

As described above, according to the present invention, a management application requiring measurement information can receive measurement information by a single access means without using an access means depending on a measurement function. it can. This facilitates development of a management application that uses the measurement information and implementation in a system.

The measurement result is stored in the measurement information broker, or the measurement result is output (transmitted) to an object other than the person requesting the measurement information, so that the measurement result can be transmitted to a plurality of measurement information users ( Management application).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a measurement operation unit, a measurement information broker, a measurement result output destination, a measurement function, and a measurement target hardware configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram mainly showing an internal configuration of a measurement information broker according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a processing flowchart of a measurement information broker according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing contents of measurement task definition information processed by a measurement information broker according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing contents of a task pool held by the measurement information broker according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing contents of a measurement function correspondence table held by the measurement information broker according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a measurement function correspondence table held by the measurement information broker according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing contents of a measurement result storage stored in the measurement information broker according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display example of a management menu screen displayed on the measurement operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a display example of a measurement task management screen displayed on the measurement operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a measurement task setting screen A displayed on the measurement operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a display example of a measurement task setting screen B displayed on the measurement operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a measurement task setting screen C displayed on the measurement operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a measurement function correspondence table management screen displayed on the measurement operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing contents of a module definition table held by the measurement information broker according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a module management screen displayed on the measurement operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a measurement result storage management screen displayed on the measurement operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

110: Measurement information broker, 111: Measurement task management unit, 11
2 ... Measurement means selection unit, 113 ... Measurement instruction unit, 114 ... Measurement result collection unit, 115 ... Measurement result output destination selection unit, 116 ... Measurement result output unit, 12 ... Measurement operation unit, 131 ... Measurement function, 132 ... Measurement Target, 14 ... Output destination of measurement results.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A computer system including a computer device and a network device, wherein the status of resources such as hardware, firmware, and software of the computer device and the network device is measured or checked, and the result of the measurement or check is measured. The type of measurement or check instruction means for the measurement function or the type of measurement or check result collection means for the measurement function is derived from the information for specifying the measurement function and the measurement function having a function of transmitting the measurement item to another. And a measurement information broker for instructing the measurement function to perform measurement or check or to collect measurement or check results provided by the measurement function. 2. In a computer system including a computer device and a network device, a state of resources such as hardware, firmware, and software of the computer device and the network device is measured or checked, and the result of the measurement or check is measured. A measurement function having a function of transmitting the information to another, information for specifying the measurement target, and information for specifying the measurement item, from the information for specifying the measurement function, the type of the measurement instruction means for the measurement function or the A type of measurement result collection means from the measurement function, and a measurement information broker that instructs measurement or check on the measurement function, or collects measurement or check results provided by the measurement function. Characterized computer system. 3. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement information broker issues a measurement or check instruction to the measurement function, which is scheduled to be performed or is currently being performed, or A computer system comprising means for holding a plurality of pieces of information necessary for executing measurement or check result collection processing provided by the measurement function. 4. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement information broker can output a measurement or check result collected from the measurement function to a plurality of measurement result output destinations. A computer system, characterized in that: